Visa & Passport Information

UAE Visas

Before you travel to the UAE, please check your visa requirements and make sure you have a valid visa if needed. Holders of non-standard passports and travel documents may also have different entry requirements: please check your visa and passport requirements here.

Citizens of the GCC nations of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia do not require a visa to travel to the UAE.

Apply and pay for your UAE visa online

Nationals of countries requiring a prearranged UAE visa can now apply and pay for their visas online through emirates.com.

If you are travelling to or stopping over in Dubai with Emirates, you can submit an application and receive your UAE visa entirely online – without having to submit your passport for stamping.

You can apply for your UAE visa through our Manage a Booking tool after booking your Emirates flight.

The online visa application service is available for residents of many countries around the world: find a list of eligible countries of residence here. Applicants' passports must have at least six months' validity as of their date of travel to Dubai.

This service is only available to passengers with a confirmed Emirates booking where an Emirates e-ticket has already been issued and the flight itinerary already includes the desired time in Dubai. A minimum of four international working days prior to arrival in Dubai is required, however Emirates does recommend that online applications are made as early as possible. Visas issued through this service are available for a period of stay in Dubai of 96 hours or 30 days. Once approved, any visa cannot be extended beyond the original period of stay.

Other ways to apply

Emirates also offers other visa processing services from South Africa. Find out more here.

If you have a family member or near relative who is a UAE resident, find out how they can apply for your visa here.

Visas on arrival

If your country of nationality appears on the list below, no advance visa arrangements are required to visit the UAE. Simply disembark your flight at Dubai International Airport and proceed to Immigration, where your passport will be stamped with a 30-day visit visa free of charge. This can be extended for an additional 30 days at an additional charge.

Poland
Portugal
Romania
San Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
United States of America
Vatican City

Travellers from countries not listed above will need to arrange a visa in advance of travel.

Dubai Immigration Procedures

As an added security measure, Immigration Authorities at Dubai International Airport are now conducting random eye screening for visitors to Dubai.

Visitors asked to proceed for eye screening are required to present a hard copy of their visa or a printed version of the visa number confirmation page at the screening counter. If you do not have a copy with you, a charge of AED 30 per copy applies - payable only in AED.

Note: It is your sole responsibility to obtain a visa where the same is required and we shall accept no liability for your failure to do so. Also see our Terms & Conditions. Please also note that entry into the UAE is subject to immigration approval.